Tennis roundup: Serena defends Brisbane crown

BRISBANE, Australia — This was one time Serena Williams didn’t mind being pushed into the deep end, to use her own description.

The top-ranked Williams carried her winning momentum into 2014, beating No. 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 7-5, Saturday to defend her title at the Brisbane International and set the tone for the Australian Open.

The Williams sisters were hoping to both win a WTA Tour event in the same week for the first time in 15 years, but Ana Ivanovic prevented that when she beat Venus Williams, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ivanovic claimed her 12th career singles title and her first since Bali in 2011.

NADAL TAKES TITLE: Rafael Nadal won his first title of the year by defeating Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in an exciting, nearly two-hour final at the Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar.